Local Service Agencies
Advocates for Children of New York
Advocates for Children works on behalf of children from infancy to 21 years of age who are at risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure. Services include free individual case advocacy, technical assistance, and parental, student and professional training about children's educational entitlements and due process rights in New York City.
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA)
AHA is a Long Island-based organization whose goal is to spread awareness of High Functioning Autism (HFA) to professionals. They connect people who have HFA with the appropriate programs, training, and services that they need, and they also aim to develop an active network of parents and professionals.
Association for Metroarea Autistic Children (AMAC)
Since 1961, AMAC has provided a range of services for people of all ages with autistic-spectrum disorders, and for their families. AMAC serves the entire metro New York area.
Autism New Jersey
Autism New Jersey is a nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education, and consultation. Autism New Jersey encourages responsible basic and applied research with the goal of lessening the effects of, and potentially preventing, autism. Autism New Jersey is dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential and to enhancing the general public's overall awareness of autism.
Autism Society of America (Manhattan Chapter)
Through their Community Resource Center, The Autism Society of America offers diagnostic, education and outreach services to affected families.
Federation Employment and Guidance Service, Inc. (F•¬E¬•G¬•S)
F•E•G•S is an organization providing services for adults with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, as well as individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. In addition, F•E•G•S is an important source of referrals for adults with autism and related conditions through its programs as well as through its affiliations with service providers throughout the New York metropolitan region.
Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA)
FECA is a non-profit organization located in Westchester County, NY. FECA is dedicated to providing the appropriate educational opportunities for children with autism based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), through the development of schools, inclusion and vocational programs, consumer advocacy and community outreach. Through these activities, FECA enriches the lives of children with autism, helping them achieve their greatest potential.
The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP)
GRASP provides education, support groups, and advocacy services for people with Asperger's syndrome or autism. According to their bylaws, the Executive Director, all of the Advisory Board, and 50% of the Board of Directors of GRASP must be diagnosed with autism, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder.
The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan (JCC)
A subset of the JCC in Manhattan provides many services and programs for individuals with special needs, as well as for their families and professionals. These include, but are not limited to, support groups for parents and a social program for adolescents and young adults to help them prepare for adulthood. Their mission is to do this while cultivating an engaged community rooted in Jewish values.
The Learning Disabilities Helpline (LDA)
The Helpline is a free telephone referral and information service. LDA staff provide callers with information about learning disabilities, legal rights, information on securing services, as well as referrals to agencies that provide independent evaluations, tutoring, counseling, recreational programs, vocational training, and free or low-cost legal assistance.
Tel: 212-645-6730
National Institute for People with Disabilities (YAI-NIPD)
The Seaver Autism Center has established a formal affiliation with the YAI-NIPD service organization in New York. YAI-NIPD serves over 20,000 individuals with disabilities, and it is the largest organization dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities from birth to the end of life in the New York metropolitan region. They are the largest early intervention providers in New York City. YAI-NIPD services include, but are not limited to, psychiatric, medical, dental, and home care as well as respite and family support services, support for transitional issues, residential and employment services for adults, and day and rehabilitation services.
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
OPWDD coordinates services for over 126,000 people with developmental disabilities in New York State. OPWDD provides short and long term care through their offices, as well as through a network of other nonprofit service providers. This group also aims to provide employment support and residential services for those in need.
Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (RCSN)
This organization provides support for families of children and young adults with special needs from birth to age 22. Services offered include helping families find appropriate education and services, training and information for parents and professionals on a variety of topics, problem resolution between families and schools or other agencies, connecting children with appropriate community resources, as well as an annual Special Camp Fair. The U.S. Department of Education designated RCSN as a Parent Training and Information Center. Services are available in English and Spanish.
E-mail: info@resourcesnyc.org
UJA Federation of New York
The UJA Federation of New York provides support to hundreds of individuals with disabilities and their families through its network of funded programs across the New York metropolitan region.